Att_06_SCI_Tree_Assessment_Report.pdf

Channel Islands National Park 2022 Santa Cruz Island Tree

Assessment & Treatment Recommendations

Scorpion Ranch

Scorpion Campgrounds

Prisoners Cove

Prepared by Keith Park

NPS Horticulturist & Arborist

WE-9928A

Table of Contents Page

Assessment Overview……………………………………………………….…….…..2

Tree Condition Summary……………………………………………………….....…3

Tree Work Recommendations by Area:

Scorpion Ranch Treatment Recommendations …………………

Scorpion Campgrounds Treatment Recommendations ………

Prisoners Cove Treatment Recommendations ..…………………

Pruning and Safety Standards

Pictures of Specific Tree Work Needs

Maps of Work Locations

Assessment Overview

Total Trees Assessed: 385

Total Trees by Location:

Location Qty Species Assessed Scorpion Ranch - Pier Entrance 14 Monterey cypress Scorpion Ranch - Bunk House Yard 29 Assorted (see list below) Scorpion Ranch - Concessions 3 Monterey cypress Scorpion Campgrounds 236 Eucalyptus Delphines Grove 28 Monterey cypress Smugglers Cove 105 Eucalyptus, walnut, cherimoya, citrus Prisoners Cove 16 Eucalyptus & oak

Total Tree Species Assessed:

Qty Common Name Scientific Name

339 Blue gum eucalyptus Eucalyptus globulus 49 Monterey cypress Cupressus macrocarpa 2 Coast live oak Quercus agrifolia 8 Locust Robinia pseudoacacia 7 Walnut (English) Juglans regia 4 Corkscrew willow Salix matsudana 4 Yucca Yucca eliphantipes 4 Lemon Citrus limon 3 Fig Ficus carica 1 Orange Citrus aurantium 1 Olive Olea europaea 1 Cherimoya Annona cherimola 1 Pepper tree Schinus molle 1 Bay tree Laurus nobilis 1 Norfolk Island pine Araucaria heterophylla

Tree Condition Summary

Location Condition Count

Total Trees Assessed at all sites: 385 %

Scorpion Total Trees: 235

Scorpion Good 92 39

Scorpion Fair 64 27

Scorpion Poor 22 9

Scorpion Dead 17 7

Scorpion Other (Ranch) 41 18

Scorpion Removed 149

Smugglers Total Trees: 105

Smugglers Good 55 53

Smugglers Fair 37 35

Smugglers Poor 11 10

Smugglers Dead 2 2

Smugglers Removed 1

Prisoners Total Trees: 16

Prisoners Good 15 94

Prisoners Fair 1 6

Prisoners Poor 0

Prisoners Dead 0

Prisoners Removed 7

Delphines Total Trees: 28

Delphines Good 5 18

Delphines Fair 4 14

Delphines Poor 8 29

Delphines Dead 11 39

Delphines Removed 0

Tree Work Recommendations by Area

Scorpion Ranch Assessment and Treatment Recommendations

Scorpion Pier and Entrance

Of the 14 Monterey cypress trees assessed within the Pier and Entrance area 7 are in fair condition and 7 are in poor condition.

One cypress (#504) poses a moderate risk to targets below due to its adjacency to the comfort station. All other cypress trees in this area pose a low risk to targets, including those flanking the trailhead, however these trees may warrant pruning and removal of limbs larger than 1 inch diameter for added safety.

Recommendation for Work at Scorpion Pier and Entrance:

Tree # Work 314 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter 501 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter 504 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter 511 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter 512 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter 514 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter

Scorpion Adobe and Bunk House Yard

Of the 20 ornamental specimen trees within and around the fenced Bunk House yard area, there are 14 in good condition, 3 in fair condition, and 3 in poor condition. Of these trees only 1, a locust with no tag, poses a moderate risk due to a large cavity in the base of the tree, however considering the rarity of targets (ie people) on the ground within the bunk house yard this tree poses a low actual risk. Nonetheless it is recommended to remove this tree out of an abundance of caution.

Also assessed as part of the Bunk House/Ranch area were 8 mature trees located south and west of the yard, including 4 cypress, 3 locust, and 1 Norfolk Island pine. 4 are in good condition, 2 in fair condition, and 2 in poor condition. All of these trees pose a low risk.

Recommendation for Work in and around Scorpion Adobe and Bunk House Yard:

Tree species Qty Work Locust 4 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter Corkscrew willows 2 Prune widow-maker and deadwood out of two willows Corkscrew willows 1 Remove tree: it has uprooted and is lodged against adjacent bay tree Pepper tree 1 Remove per CLR

3 clusters remove sucker growth Fig

Scorpion Concessions

Of the 3 Monterey cypress trees assessed within the Concessionaire area 2 are in fair condition and 1 is in poor condition. 2 cypress pose a low risk and one poses a moderate risk to targets on the ground.

Cypress #532 poses a moderate risk for overhanging a storage shed. It is recommended that this tree receive deadwood pruning over 1 inch and end weight reduction to decrease the chance of limb failure over the shed.

Recommendation for Work at Scorpion Concessions:

Tree # Work 529 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter 531 Reduce overextended limb end weight 532 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter; Reduce end weight on extended limbs

Scorpion Campgrounds Treatment Recommendations Of the 235 blue-gum eucalyptus trees assessed in the lower and upper Scorpion Campgrounds and eucalyptus alley, 92 are in good condition, 64 in fair condition, 22 in poor condition, and 17 are dead or otherwise no longer extant.

The majority of these eucalyptus pose a low hazard risk, with 6 posing a moderate hazard risk.

The work required in the Scorpion campgrounds includes limb end-weight reduction pruning and deadwood removal and up to 13 removals.

Recommendation for Work in Scorpion Campgrounds and Eucalyptus Alley:

(red indicates near-term priority work)

Tree # Work 402 Remove tree; Corrected lean above stress crack, recommend removal.

404 Reduce overextended limb end weight 406 Reduce overextended limb end weight; Reduce limb over table to lateral.

407 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter;

Remove dead limbs mid trunk and up top.

412 Reduce overextended limb end weight; Remove short dead limb stub and long crossing branch

415 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter; Dead limbs up high

506 Reduce overextended limb end weight;

635 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter; Prune dead branches up top

685 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter;

Remove widow maker and deadwood

686 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter;

Remove dead branches in lower and upper canopy

809 4” Widow maker, dead upper limbs; Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter

829 Remove tree; Elongated wound on lower trunk, weak new growth, dead branches up high

844 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter;

Clean lower dead branches

846 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter

866 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter;

Remove small dead branch up high

868 Remove Tree; Tree good but lodged against 867, remove if feasible

873 Remove tree; Canopy thin, oozing from trunk crack and seam, and wound on trunk

882 Reduce overextended limb end weight; Reduce length of horizontal limb to next lateral

Prisoners Cove Treatment Recommendations Of the 16 trees assessed at Prisoners Cove (14 eucalyptus and 2 live oaks), 15 are in good condition and 1 in fair condition.

All trees pose a low hazard risk.

Tree work required at Prisoners Cove includes removing deadwood larger than 1” in the eucalyptus trees, trimming back on oak from the barn structure, and reducing end-weight in one oak tree that overhangs the comfort station and may impede venting, or impact the structure if the limb were to fail.

Recommendation for Work at Prisoners Cove

Tree # Work 110 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter 113 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter 114 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter 115 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter 117 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter 123 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter 128 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter 132 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter 135 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter M2 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter M3 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter M4 Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter

Eucalyptus no tag Remove deadwood larger than 1 inch diameter

Oak No Tag Prune tips away from structure 3-5 feet if possible

Oak No Tag Reduce long limb overhanging comfort station back

Pruning and Safety Standards

The industry standards governing the performance of the Work described in this report include:

• ANSI - Z133.1 Safety Requirements for Tree Care Operators

• ANSI A300 Part 1: Pruning

Safety: all safety practices described in the ANSI - Z133.1 Safety Requirements for Tree Care Operators shall be understood and adhered to by every member of the crew. Safety plans shall be provided to the park representative for review prior to commencement of the Work. This represents the minimum standard for safety while engaged in work on park property, any additional safety protocols or standards enacted by Channel Islands NP shall be additionally adhered to by every member of the crew.

Pruning: all tree Work at Channel Islands NP shall be performed or supervised by a certified arborist with current ISA credentials. All tree pruning and horticultural practices performed during the course of this Work shall conform with the ANSI A300 Part 1: Pruning standards. Any additional standards of care implemented by Channel Islands NP shall be additionally adhered to.

Arborists adhering to the ANSI A300 Part 1 pruning standard shall NOT:

• leave branch stubs

• make unnecessary heading cuts

• cut off the branch collar (not make a flush cut)

• top or lion’s tail trees (stripping a branch from the inside leaving foliage just at the ends)

• remove more than 25 percent of the foliage of a single branch

• remove more than 25 percent of the total tree foliage in a single year

• damage other parts of the tree during pruning

• use wound paint

• prune without a good reason

• climb the tree with climbing spikes https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=f0a9d3cab1e9063589fcf31d3cd4e9f2216c9cf09d958e7f3660305b55c531dbJmltdHM9MTY1Mzk1MzI1MSZpZ3VpZD02NmJhYjYyMy0xZDVhLTRkYmQtODkzZC1mYTJkZTQwMjMxYmImaW5zaWQ9NTQxMA&ptn=3&fclid=13c5d185-e070-11ec-bdf9-ef0261d8a29d&u=a1L3NlYXJjaD9xPUFtZXJpY2FuK05hdGlvbmFsK1N0YW5kYXJkcytJbnN0aXR1dGUmZmlsdGVycz1zaWQlM2E3OTA1NWEwNy02ODdmLTM2NTUtYTE1Yy04ZjVmZGFhNjc2YzAmZm9ybT1FTlRMTks&ntb=1 https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=f0a9d3cab1e9063589fcf31d3cd4e9f2216c9cf09d958e7f3660305b55c531dbJmltdHM9MTY1Mzk1MzI1MSZpZ3VpZD02NmJhYjYyMy0xZDVhLTRkYmQtODkzZC1mYTJkZTQwMjMxYmImaW5zaWQ9NTQxMA&ptn=3&fclid=13c5d185-e070-11ec-bdf9-ef0261d8a29d&u=a1L3NlYXJjaD9xPUFtZXJpY2FuK05hdGlvbmFsK1N0YW5kYXJkcytJbnN0aXR1dGUmZmlsdGVycz1zaWQlM2E3OTA1NWEwNy02ODdmLTM2NTUtYTE1Yy04ZjVmZGFhNjc2YzAmZm9ybT1FTlRMTks&ntb=1

Pictures of Specific Tree Work Needs

Scorpion Campgrounds Near-Term Treatment Recommendations:

This assessment identified a total of 18 trees with defects or conditions that should be remedied as soon as possible, all of which are found in the Scorpion Campground areas: 14 in the Lower Scorpion Campground and 4 in the Upper Scorpion Campground.

Lower Scorpion Campground:

Tree # Recommendation 402 Remove tree due to stress crack and lean 404 Reduce limb over road 406 Reduce limb over table 407 Remove several medium dead limbs in upper canopy 412 Remove dead limb stub and remove long crossing limb 415 Remove dead branches in upper canopy 506 Reduce length of two lower, extended limbs 635 Prune dead branches in upper canopy 685 Remove widow-maker 686 Dead limbs 809 4” Widow maker, dead upper limbs 829 Remove tree 844 Remove small lower dead branches 846 Remove lower dead limbs

Upper Scorpion Campground:

Tree # Recommendation 866 Prune small dead branch in upper canopy 868 Remove tree 873 Remove tree; oozing from trunk crack and seam, and wound on trunk 882 Reduce long horizontal limb back to an adjacent lateral

These trees and associated defects will be described in pictorial detail in the following pages:

402 Remove tree due to stress crack and lean

This tree has a shear-plane crack in its upper leader/limb.

Shear-plane cracks appear when trunks or limbs are fractured at the zone where compression and tension forces meet, usually as a result of a bending moment from a force like wind. This tree’s crack appears to have compensated (ie “healed”) by formation of new reaction wood along the crack, but due to it’s location over a campsite as well as the lack of other scaffold limbs or leaders to prune back to, it will be safer to remove this tree rather than risk future failure.

404 Reduce limb over road

Reduce the length of one long, slender limb that is extended over the roadway by pruning back to next largest lateral branch at approximate location shown.

406 Reduce limb over table

Reduce length of limb overhanging table by pruning back to lateral branch at approximate location shown.

407 Remove several medium dead limbs in upper canopy

Remove any dead limbs over 1” in diameter in canopy as shown.

412 Remove dead limb stub and remove long crossing limb

A dead stub should be removed to trunk and a crossing limb can be removed to other trunk per ISA target pruning specifications.

Crossing limb

Dead stub

415 Remove dead branches in upper canopy

Remove several dead limbs over 1” in diameter in canopy as shown.

506 Reduce length of two lower, extended limbs

Reduce length of two separate limbs, one located over roadway and the other nearer the campsite. Prune both back to an inner lateral branch of appropriate size at approximate locations shown.

635 Prune dead branches in upper canopy

685 Remove widow-maker

Remove dead hanging limb (“widow maker”).

686 Dead limbs

809 4” Widow maker, dead upper limbs

(No image of canopy available, arborist shall use judgement for pruning to remove widow maker and any dead limbs above 1” diameter.)

829 Remove tree

Tree has two un-enclosed wounds in lower trunk indicating injury or disease, and a slight lean.

Recommend removal out of abundance of caution.

844 Remove small lower dead branches

846 Remove lower dead limbs

866 Prune small dead branch in upper canopy

868 Remove tree: it’s leaning on adjacent tree

Tree is in good condition but is resting against adjacent tree. While not a hazardous condition it is not ideal either and may cause rubbing or injury to both trees and the potential for wounding. If desired, park may wish to remove the smaller tree 868 to allow more room for adjacent (larger) tree to develop on that side.

Smaller tree on left leaning against larger tree on right.

873 Remove tree; oozing trunk crack and seam; wound on trunk

The defects on this tree trunk are predispositions for failure and it would be prudent to remove this tree sooner than later.

882 Reduce long horizontal limb back to an adjacent lateral

Although this tree appears healthy and stable despite it’s arched overextended limb, it would become far more stable if the center of gravity were to be brought closer to the trunk by reducing the length of the extended limb back to a reasonably sized lateral limb.

Reduce to approximately here

Scorpion Ranch Treatment Recommendations

Remove leaning willow tree.

Willow tree inside fence has uprooted and is leaning against adjacent bay tree. Remove Tree.

Alternately, if retaining this tree as part of the row of willows along the fence line, consider removing tree to a 2-foot tall stump near dashed line and retraining new growth to become a new tree.

Remove hollow locust tree

This locust tree inside the yard has a very hollow trunk cavity and is at higher risk of failing at the base and falling over. While few or no targets exist on the ground it is advisable to mitigate this hazard before it happens.

Trim fig suckers.

Prune to remove new sucker growth from base of two fig trees to retain clean appearance.

Prisoners Cove Treatment Recommendations

Eucalyptus trees need no immediate work at this time. While some deadwood was observed high in the canopies of some eucalyptus trees, the likelihood of them falling and impacting a target within the specified time frame of this report is unlikely. Reaching any existing dead branches in these trees would constitute heroic mitigation, given the height, effort and lift equipment or climbing expertise required to reach it. Such pruning work may be performed if desired, however it does not appear to be urgently needed at this time.

Reduce oak limb over comfort station.

There is one large, propped limb overhanging the comfort station beside the brick barn.

Reducing this limb back to a reasonably sized lateral (approximate location shown by dashed lines) will reduce the likelihood of failure by reducing end weight, and also increase air flow around the comfort station vent, reducing foul air settling.

Trim back oak foliage from building.

Prune back oak tree foliage from eve of barn to prevent contact between the two.

Maps of Work Locations

(Begins next page)

Tree Point Color Interpretation:

Good

Fair

Poor

Dead

Tree not assessed for this report

Note: The color-coding schema above indicates overall tree condition, it is not a hazard rating or risk assessment.

Tree Condition Assessment is a subjective judgment about the general health and condition of a tree at the time of the assessment and is independent of other external factors.

Tree Risk Assessment is an evaluation of the condition of a tree and any visible or detectable defects, in combination with external factors such as the presence of targets, target occupancy rate, likelihood of failure and likelihood of impacting targets, as well as weather condition variables, and other factors.

This report evaluates tree condition at the time of the assessment and recommends specific mitigation work where it is deemed necessary to prevent potential impact to targets within high-traffic areas of the park.

1:56 PM Mon May 30

( CHIS Eucalyptus and Ornamentals Mobile Map

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Scorpion Cove & Delphines Grove -Overview

1:56 PM Mon May 30

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Scorpion Cove - Pier & Entrance

1:57 PM Mon May 30

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Q ••• Scorpion Cove - Bunk House Yard

Q ••• Scorpion Cove - Concessionaire

Q ••• Scorpion Cove - Lower Campground

1:58 PM Mon May 30

Q ••• Scorpion Cove - Eucalyptus Alley

Scorpion Cove - Upper Campground adcsdfasdfasdfasdf

1:55 PM Mon May 30

( CHIS Eucalyptus and Ornamentals Mobile Map Prisoners

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